Children, Toys and Changed Lives

It’s Saturday afternoon and I am exhausted. The group of 13 people from the Dallas area left about 1:30 this afternoon and we were all so blessed with their visit and the outreach to the children and families in our area.

We got up early this morning, and got ready for the festivities. Bill and I left before 8 to pick up Maria and her family, and when we got back to the church, Blas, Paula and Nena were there, getting things cleaned up.

We had spent most of Friday afternoon preparing and cooking the pozole, cutting up cabbage and onions, slicing lemons, and frying corn tortillas for “totopos” to go with the meal. We only had to warm up the pozole and serve it.

Blas took the church van and Bill drove the Tundra while I drove the Dodge van. We went to Nueva Jarita and picked up Wendi and Lucy, and then to Jarita to get Yesennia and her family, and all the other children waiting there for a ride. Blas picked up children in Palmira, including his nephews. When we arrived at the church, the group was already organizing the gifts for the children and we spent a few minutes introducing ourselves and then went inside the church, where it was packed with children and mothers, grandmother, aunts and friends.

Blas played the guitar and we sang songs, and then he shared about the Lord and the meaning of Christmas. One of the brothers in the group, Angel Rodriguez, handed me two brand new soccer balls to give to the children that could recite the most Bible verses. 

Two of our girls, Lucy and Maria won the soccer balls. They attend the art classes that we have at the church, and learn a verse every week, and again on Sunday. I was so proud of them for reciting their verses from memory.

When the program was over, we had the children line up in two groups, boys and girls. Then they walked to the tables where the group had wonderful gifts for them to choose from. The children each received a bag of candy with fruit in it. 

It was very organized, and they children were pleased with their gifts.
I didn’t count the children, but the group had gifts for 250 children, and all the children who attended received a gift. They brought extra bags of candy and we shared them with Hilda’s family, as they weren’t able to attend.

The most amazing part of the whole day was that I was privileged to lead two women to the Lord. Antonia from Palmira came for help with a physical ailment and while we were talking, I found out that she did not know the Lord. I asked her if she wanted to and she said yes. She prayed, confessed her sins, and received Jesus as her savior! I was so excited for her, and told her I’d come to visit her in Palmira. We will start reading the Word together this week.

 After everyone in the group left, and we took the children home, we came back to find another woman, a niece of the old pastor at the church, was there with a friend named Amalia Perez from San Carlos. She asked for prayer for her friend, and the whole Dallas group gathered around. I felt led to ask if the woman was a believer. Her friend said she thought so. When I asked Amalia herself, she said no. I asked if she wanted to know Christ, and she said yes. She began to cry. She prayed with me and we rejoiced in another soul for the kingdom. God is so good, and I am so blessed to have had the privilege to be a part of their decisions.

On another note, Bill and I have been sick with colds and coughs, and we appreciate your prayers for us.

The group from Aspermont is coming down on December 17th, and if you are interested in contributing to the shoebox gifts for the children, please contact Greg or Robin Goza at ggoza4@sbcglobal.net 

We would love you to join us, but you have to have a passport to cross the border. We are planning to come up to Eagle Pass on Friday, the 16th to visit with the group there before they come down. 

God bless you as you keep Jesus first in your life! We love you and thank the Lord for you.
In His service, 
Toni and Bill